Brill, Classics & The Great Train Robbery - help needed

[mph.52]

Having discussed the following with Paul Garlick, He has approved the following posting and wished us well with the event:
In August 1963 the hilltop community of Brill in rural Bucks became the centre of attention for the world’s media, following the discovery of the Great Train Robbery hideout at Leatherslade farm on the outskirts of the village.
Fast forward 50 years to August 2013 and the decision to feature 1963 as part of the 10th annual Brill classic and sports car gathering is easy to understand.
The August 25th event will therefore include an exhibition of media coverage, maps, photos etc alongside local anecdotes, memorabilia and cine footage relating to Brill and The Great train robbery. Our intention is not to celebrate or glorify, but to inform & educate, to encourage visitors, to raise money for local good causes and have some fun on the way! So here’s the rub, we are hoping some of you may be able to help us with our aim to flank the exhibition with vehicles that would have been on the scene at the time, Police, British rail & Royal mail vehicles, Land rovers, Minis, Austin Loadsters and even the odd MK 2 Jag & Lotus Cortina. We are also hoping that we can group mid 50’s to 1963’ vehicles that arrive on the day in the surrounding area, creating a real period feel to the event.
If anyone feels they can help please Email: [e-mail] or for further information on the event visit www.brillbeerfestival.co.uk

Many thanks and hope to see some of you there!

[Riley Blue]

I'll try to get there with my '63 Riley 1.5 though can't promise as it's the weekend after our national rally in Shropshire and I'm in Derbyshire

[Carnage]

Give the Thames Valley Police museum at Sulhamstead a ring. They have lots of Great Train Robbery exhibits there, including the monopoly board used to play with the proceeds. They might have something they can lend you.

[silverfoxcc]

Try and get hold of John Woolley, who was the first PC to enter Lechlade Farm. his talk on it is amazing, as he describes putting his leg over the window sill and entering, you are there with him. Brilliant

[Gareth1974]

This would be a good exhibit http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngreyturner/424566...

[midgeman]

Is that the actual cab of the train? I know it got scrapped. I can't remember the name but there is a museum that own the actual truck used, I think they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and I think it was at the NEC classic show last year

[Gareth1974]

It's one of the same class, I think the actual loco has been scrapped now.

[mph.52]

midgeman said:

Is that the actual cab of the train? I know it got scrapped. I can't remember the name but there is a museum that own the actual truck used, I think they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and I think it was at the NEC classic show last year

Yep I think I read it got caught in a fire - so if anyone has a look alike Austin Loadstar......

and thanks for the other suggestions - please keep them coming...

[P5Nij]

The real loco was D326, which was renumbered to 40 126 sometime around 1974, then scrapped in 1983, with strict instructions that no part of it should be saved.

[uk66fastback]

A Great idea! After reading Pier Paul Reid's book in the early 80s I drove to Brill but stopped short of venturing too much up towards the farm itself ...

Has it been rebuilt now? I am sure somewhere it was maybe knocked down and rebuilt?

Fantastic idea for a theme though and I'd love to be there ... although my car is of no use.

[V41LEY]

uk66fastback said:

A Great idea! After reading Pier Paul Reid's book in the early 80s I drove to Brill but stopped short of venturing too much up towards the farm itself ...

Has it been rebuilt now? I am sure somewhere it was maybe knocked down and rebuilt?

Fantastic idea for a theme though and I'd love to be there ... although my car is of no use.

Come anyway - will be a great day out.
Yes. The farmhouse was rebuilt though retained its original name - Leatherslade Farm. You can walk past the farmhouse taking the bridle path just before the surgery as you enter the village on the Thame Rd. Follow the path down for about 3/4 mile and it is on your left. Carry on walking and you emerge onto to B4011.

Edited by V41LEY on Thursday 17th January 02:53

[stuttgartmetal]

uk66fastback said:

A Great idea! After reading Pier Paul Reid's book in the early 80s I drove to Brill but stopped short of venturing too much up towards the farm itself ...

Has it been rebuilt now? I am sure somewhere it was maybe knocked down and rebuilt?

Fantastic idea for a theme though and I'd love to be there ... although my car is of no use.

Gerrman paratroopers nicked half the money.
Wasn't it otto skorzeny?

What a hilarious book.

[mph.52]

As a young man in the 1960's my attention was not neccessarily focused on cars all the time so any suggestions of makes and models that would have been used as police cars in 1963?

[uk66fastback]

The usual MkII Jag - as seen in the pics of the robbery site - maybe these were top brass.

Wolseley 444s I think. Maybe Austin Westminsters ...

And I was one when the robbery took place!

Edited by uk66fastback on Friday 18th January 08:42

[Carnage]

mph.52 said:

As a young man in the 1960's my attention was not neccessarily focused on cars all the time so any suggestions of makes and models that would have been used as police cars in 1963?

Oxford city had at least one Mini - I remember my instructor on my driving course talking about it. He also mentioned MGB V8's, although a bit later obviously. I'll ask my mate Mick - he looks after loads of historical stuff for TVP.

[mph.52]

Nice Photo, jsut the sort of car we are looking for - any idea of the owner?

[uk66fastback]

mph.52 said:

Nice Photo, jsut the sort of car we are looking for - any idea of the owner?

No idea - but search the web - there'll be an owners club ... in fact I think there is an owners club for people who own a car which IS an old police car - I've seen them at the NEC I am sure ...

Edit: email these guys - see their site - pics of nice early 60s MkIIs on there ...

http://www.policecaruk.com/index.html

Here's their fleet, sadly not too many before about 1965 ...

http://www.policecaruk.com/ClassicFleet/ClassicFle...

Edited by uk66fastback on Friday 18th January 16:40

[Donalddonaldson]

I have got a black Austin a99 Westminster 1960, might be able to make it

[grumpy52]

will ask my mate who had an e type that was owned by one of the great train robbers.From memory the police kept it for many years and still had the period tax disc on it,

[mph.52]

A Westminster would be very nice and alongside a Mini, a police Wolsey and an E-type would make quite an iconic display, now what about a black Maria and an Austin loadstar and.........?